Huntsville gazette., 1887-10-22

Dedication of the Memorial Fountain Pre-
sented by George w. Childs, OF Philadel-
phia, at Stratford -Upon-Ayon = Oliver
Wendell Holmes Poem, Read by Henry
Irving.
STRATFoRD- UPoN-AvoN, Oct. Il. ~ The
memorial fountain to Shakespeare, pre-
sented by Geo. w. Childs, of Fhiladel
phia, was unvailed to-day in this city in
the presence of an immense concoWrse Of
people. TIE whole city was en- fete, and
the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. The
weather was pleasant, the sun shining
brightly. The early trains from London
and surrounding country brought many
people, among whom were men of letters
and the drama DR.. Macauley, who rep
resented ssIr. Cs.ids, arrived short
ly y, bel, ~ r1SoH. On the ar
rival of the doctor, the guests who had
been specially invited to the ceremonial,
formed in procession and marched to the
town hall, where they were received by
the mayor and the civic dignitaries. The
procession was then reformed with the
addition of the town officials and marched
to the Childs memorial, where an immense
throng of people had already gathered.
The dedication speech was delivered by
Henry Irving, who in the course of his re-
mai Ao Sulldh pun
lie spirit and energy; his generous deeds
are widely known, and he is universally
respected"
The mayor had suggested partial
suspension Of business during the cere-
monial, but the people took advantage Of
the occasion TO make the day a general
jubilee. A large number of visitors were
present from London, Birmingham,
Leeds, Manchester and other business
centers. Among the distinguished guests
We're Minister Phelps, Sir Theodore Mar
tin, Lord Roland Gowan, Lord Delaware,
Sir Cunlif Owen and the mayors of
Worcester, Litchfield, Coventry, War
wick and bennington.
The mayor in his speech Of acceptance
said: every body must acknowledge
that it is a handsome structure. Mr..
Childs repeatedly wrote that no expense
should be spared, as he wished to present
a gift to Shakespeare's town worthy
Of his great name. This memorial
proves the trnth of the saying: Blood is
thicker than water and proves also that
Americans are proud OF our common
heritage"
Mr.. Henry Irving then read the poem
written by DR.. Oliver Wendell Holmes for
the occasion, which is as follows:
Welcome thrice welcome is thy slvery CLEAN,
Thou long imprisoned streaml
Welcome the tinkle of thy crystal beads
AS FLASHING raindrops to the fiowery meads,
AS summers breath to Avon's whispering
From rock-walled channels drowned in rayless
night.
Leap forth to life and light;
Wake from the darkness Of thy troubled
dream,
And greet with answering smile the mornings
beam
No purer lymph the white-lmbed Naiad knows
Than from thy chalice flows;
Not the bright spring OF Afric's sunny shores,
Starry with spanges washed from golden ores,
Nor CLASSY stream Blandusia's fountain pours
Nor wave translucent where Sabrina faira
Braids her loose-fowing hair,
Nor the swift current, stainless as it rose
Where chill Arveiron steals from Alpine SHOWS.
Here shall the traveller stay his weary feet
TO seek thy calm retreat;
Here at high noon the brown-armed reaper
Here, when the shadows, lengthing from the
west.
CAN the mute ong-bird to his leafy nest.
Matron and maid shall chat the cares away
That brooded DER the day.
While flocking round them troops Of children
meet.
And all the arches ring with laughter sweet.
Here shall the steed his patient life who spends
In toll that never ends,
Hot from his thirsty tramp o. er hill and plain,
Plunge his red nostrils, while the torturing rein
Drops in loose loops beside his floating name;
Nor the poor brute that shares his masters
lot
Find his small needs forgot
Truest of humble, long-endurng friends,
Whose presence cheers, whose guardian care
Defends
Here lark and thrush and nightingale shall sip,
And szimming swallows dip,
And stranga shy wanderers fold their lustrous
plumes
Fragrant from bowers that lent their sweet
perfumes
Where Pestum's rose or Persia's lilac blooms;
Here from his cloud the eagle stoop to drink
At the full basins brink,
And whet his beak against its rounded lip,
His glossy feathers glstenng as they drip.
Here shall the dreaming poet linger long,
Far from his listening throng-
Nor lutte nor Tyre his trembling hand shall
bring;
Here no frail Muse shall imp her crippled wing
No faltering minstrel strain his throat to singi
IEeSe na1l0HeO 6cnOeS VINO small care 10 Claim
Whose tuneless voice would shame,
Whose jangling chords with iarring notes would
wrong
The nymphs that heard the Swan Of Avons
song?
What visions greet the pilgrims raptured eyesl
What ghosts made real rise!
The dead return-they breathe-they live
again,
Joined by the host of Fancy's airy train,
Fresh from the springs of Shal1espeare's quick.
est brain
The stream that slakes the souls diviner thirst
Here found the suubeams first;
Rich with his fame, not less shall memory
prize
The gracious gift that humber wants supplies
Der the wide waters reached the hand that
gave
To all this bounteous wave.
With health and strength and joyous beauty
fraught;
Blest be the generous pledge OF friendship
brought
From the home of brothers love, unboughtl
Long may fair Ayon's fountain flow, enrolled
With storied shrnes of old.
Csstalia's spring, Egerias dewy cave,
Ard Horeb's rock the God Of Israel clave!